OutThere Sailing 2 — Smooth Sailing School

OutThere Sailing 2 is the second level of Australian Sailing's teen program, for 12 to 17 year olds who have completed OutThere Sailing or have equivalent experience. Smooth Sailing School is a mobile learn-to-sail school: it brings its own trailer fleet, instructors and safety gear to partner yacht clubs around coastal Victoria, including Williamstown Sailing Club.

What you'll learn

The focus moves from learning the basics to sailing well and competing, with more advanced work across the other watersports too.

• Advanced tacking and gybing – smoother, faster turns that keep the boat moving.
• Precise sail trimming – adjusting the sail continuously to get the most speed on each point of sail.
• Sail and boat tuning – how sail controls and boat set-up change the way the boat performs.
• Dry capsize – righting the boat by stepping over onto the centreboard without falling in, which saves time and energy.
• Racing skills and rules – the racing rules of sailing and the skills to get around a short course.
• Powerboating, windsurfing and paddleboarding – boat controls and man-overboard recovery, sailing a triangle course on a windsurfer with tacks and gybes, and crosswind paddling and advanced turns on a paddleboard.

How Smooth Sailing runs it

The course runs over four or five half-day sessions depending on the program. Instructors hold current Australian Sailing qualifications, First Aid and Working With Children checks.

What to bring

Boats, sails and lifejackets are provided, and everyone wears an Australian Sailing-approved lifejacket at all times on the water. Bring water, a hat, a snack, a towel, clothes that can get wet, a spare set of dry clothes and shoes; a spray jacket, wetsuit and water shoes are useful if you have them. Sailing continues in light rain and fresh breezes, but if conditions are unsafe the session moves to shore-based activities, and lightning means nobody goes on the water until the sky is clear.

Who it suits

Teens aged 12 to 17 who have completed OutThere Sailing 1 or can already sail a dinghy on their own, and are ready for more challenging sessions.

Where it leads

The course aims to give teens the confidence to sail independently and to join racing at their local club. Those who turn 18 can continue in the adult pathway with Better Sailing.

Full course guide

For the full Australian Sailing syllabus, see the OutThere Sailing 2 course guide.